LAW NO. (24) OF 2004
WITH RESPECT TO THE TREATMENT OF THE COOPERATION COUNCIL
FOR THE ARAB STATES OF THE GULF NATIONALS IN RELATION
TO THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

 We, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,             the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain 

• Having reviewed the constitution;
• The Legislative Decree Number (24) for the year of 1981 approving the Charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf;
• The Legislative Decree Number (3) for the year of 1984 with respect to the treatment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Nationals in relation to the Economic Activity in the Kingdom of Bahrain;
• The Legislative Decree Number (19) for the year of 1989 with respect to the practice of the wholesale in the Kingdom of Bahrain by Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Nationals as amended by Legislative Decree Number (26) for the year of 1998;
• Legislative Decree Number (7) for the year of 2002 approving the Economic Agreement between the states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf;
• The Decision of the Supreme Council for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its Eighth Session held in Reyadh in 1987;
• The Decision of the Supreme Council for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its Twenty First Session held in Manama at the Kingdom of Bahrain during the period 30 – 31 December 2000; and
• The Decision of the Supreme Council for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its Twenty Third Session held in State of Qatar during the period 21 – 22 December 2002;
• The Shura Council and the House of Representatives have approved the following law which we have endorsed and enacted:

First Article

Notwithstanding any provision in the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom of Bahrain with respect to Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf nationals practicing any business activity in the Kingdom, the natural and juristic persons of the nationals of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf shall be allowed to carry on all business activities and professions without limitations except for the business activities and professions included in the list attached hereto.

Second Article

“As amended by Law number (34) for the year of 2009”

The nationals of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf shall be treated the same as Bahraini nationals when they practice all the business activities and professions referred to in the preceding Article.

Third Article

The prime minister and ministers - each in his respective capacity - shall implement the provisions of this Law, which shall come into effect on the day following the day of its publication in the Official Gazette.

King of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa

Issued at Rifa'a Palace
On 5 Thulqe’dah 1425 H
Corresponding to: 17 December 2004.

A List of the Business Activities and Professions that are not allowed
To be Practiced in the Kingdom of Bahrain by the natural and juristic persons
Of the Nationals of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

“As amended by Law number (17) for the year of 2010”

1. Haj and omrah services.
2. Supply of foreign manpower offices.
3. Commercial agencies.
4. The following cultural activities:
   1. Establishing presses and publisher houses.
   2. Associating newspapers and magazines.